Help Shape Merkel’s Identity
Merkel is exploring how we introduce ourselves to the world. This short survey invites you to reflect on Merkel, how we're seen, and how we tell our story. Estimated time: 3–5 minutes.
What is your first and last name? *
What best describes your connection to Merkel? *
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What is your address? *
How long have you been connected to Merkel? *
How would you describe Merkel to someone who’s never heard of it?

Did you know?
Merkel was originally called Windmill Town when it was founded in the 1870s during the construction of the Texas & Pacific Railway.

The name reflected the hundreds of windmills that dotted the landscape. Essential tools for drawing water from the ground and sustaining early settlement and agriculture in West Texas.

In 1881, the town was renamed Merkel, in honor of one of its first settlers, S. M. Merkel. But the windmill remained a lasting symbol, a visual and cultural reminder of the town’s origin story.

For decades, “Windmill City” has served as an informal nickname and tagline for Merkel,  honoring that early frontier grit and resourcefulness.

Do you feel an emotional connection to the term “Windmill City”?

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When you hear “Windmill City,” what comes to mind?
If yes, what does "Windmill City" mean to you personally? *
Do you think Merkel might stand out more with a different story or visual identity? *

Did you know?
Merkel sits directly on the 100th Meridian. It is the invisible but powerful boundary that divides the humid East from the dry West.

This line is often called the “dry line” because it marks the point where rainfall drops sharply and the landscape begins to change.

East of the 100th Meridian: Wetter, greener, more populated, with farmland that relies on rainfall

West of the 100th Meridian: Drier, more rugged, with wide-open landscapes and ranching traditions shaped by limited water

For more than a century, this line has shaped climate, agriculture, population, and even culture in the U.S.

Very few towns can say they sit directly on this geographic and cultural dividing line, but Merkel can. It’s a rare and meaningful story, one no other Texas town can truly claim.

Were you aware of the 100th Meridian before today?

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Do you think Merkel’s location on the 100th Meridian could be meaningful to its identity? *
What kind of story or image do you wish Merkel told the world?
Do you have a suggestion for a tagline, phrase, or theme that feels true to Merkel today and tomorrow?
Is there anything else you’d like to share about Merkel, its identity, or its future?
Would you like to be notified about branding updates or future community meetings?
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